Best Coding Bootcamps
Top Courses by Job Placement
Coding bootcamps offer intensive training programs — which stack up competitively against bachelor's degrees — for professionals who want to break into the technology sector. To help students determine the best coding bootcamps for positive career outcomes, Switchup gathered data from Burning Glass Technologies, a software analytics company. Bootcamps were ranked by the percentage of alumni employed in their field of study within a year of graduating.
Since 2014, SwitchUp has been a trusted source for helping people identify their ideal bootcamps. See our methodology or continue reading to explore the best coding bootcamps, bootcamps with the most alumni employed at the Big Five tech companies, and those that students love most. Finally, we provide information about what coding bootcamps entail in greater depth.
Location: Online, Los Angeles, NYC, Temporarily Online
Courses: Full Stack Software Engineering Immersive Program, JavaScript for Beginners, Part-time Remote Software Engineering Immersive, Full-time Remote Software Engineering Immersive
Top Employers
Amazon, Twitch, AAA
What Students Say
The Good:
"What's brilliant about Codesmith is they don't just teach you languages and frameworks. About a third of the program is dedicated to actually building an open source developer tool that other engineers can actually use that will impress potential employers."
- Justin, 4/20/2021
The Bad:
"While it's true that you only get better at interviewing by interviewing, some more concrete guidance would have helped immensely, as some lectures felt a little vague."
- Zac, 4/18/2021
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Location: Online, Dallas, Lehi
Courses: Web Development, Web Development (Part-Time), Front-End Web Development.
Top Employers
Dev Mountain, Podium, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Pluralsight
What Students Say
The Good:
"The instructors are knowledgable and make it a point to always be available for feedback or review. The pace of the course is rigorous but it echoes the sort of problem solving under tight time frames that will occur on the job."
- Omri, 3/30/2021
The Bad:
"If you're not willing to work hard with extra hours you will struggle. They are essentially shoving a year or so worth of knowledge down your throat in 3 months so be prepared to be confused and willing to put in the extra work to fully understand it all."
- Anonymous, 10/7/2020
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Location: Online, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus
Courses: Java Coding Bootcamp, .NET Coding Bootcamp
Top Employers
PNC Financial Services Group, JP Morgan Chase Company, Progressive Insurance
What Students Say
The Good:
"The program at Tech Elevator as well as the staff is the best in the business. Switching careers can be an overwhelming and daunting move but the Tech Elevator team understands this and does a great job of setting you up for success."
- Hannah, 8/12/2021
The Bad:
"I wish we didn't have as much starter code for each project/homework; although I understand for time and what they wanted us to learn, it made sense... I just felt it would have been useful to better understanding the big picture."
- Chris, 3/19/2021
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In-Field Employment Rates and Top Employers for all bootcamps provided by Burning Glass Technologies
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Location: Online, Austin, Boulder, Denver, Los Angeles, NYC
$250 - $17,980
Courses: Software Engineering Immersive, Part Time Software Engineering Immersive
Top Employers
Google Inc., Amazon, Facebook
What Students Say
The Good:
"The staff was incredible in every aspect. The lecturers did a great job remotely (as a former teacher I was always impressed). The cohort lead always brought her inspiring attitude for the morning announcements and was always available for any support you might need."
- Chris, 8/12/2021
The Bad:
"Not a lot of direct support for non-visual learning styles (i.e. those who don't learn by reading)."
- Adam, 4/28/2021
Location: Online, Chicago, NYC
Free - $17,910
Courses: Software Engineering Immersive, Web Development Fellowship at Fullstack Academy
Top Employers
Bloomberg, Google Inc., JP Morgan Chase Company
What Students Say
The Good:
"The post-graduate career success team has been wonderful to work with. There is constant support, and weekly meets to share resources, thoughts, concerns, and successes during the job search."
- Horace, 5/6/2021
The Bad:
"The pacing of the course could use some work. e.g. REACTOs (practice technical interviews) are more of an after-thought in the current set up when they are so crucial for the job search."
- Anonymous, 3/24/2020
Location: Online, Austin, Denver, Los Angeles, NYC, San Francisco
$17,980
Courses: Software Engineering Immersive
Top Employers
Amazon, Ihs Markit, Vertafore Incorporated
What Students Say
The Good:
"I can't speak highly enough of the technical instructors. They are brilliant but make sure their code is easy to understand, which aids your learning process."
- Charles, 8/11/2021
The Bad:
"The con is that if you are not fully committed then your learning will suffer. You have to practice what they preach every day or you are not going to retain much. You are going to get behind quickly because it's fast-paced and each lesson builds on the other."
- Anonymous, 8/11/2021
Location: Online, Atlanta, Houston, Seattle, Tampa
$9,950 - $15,950
Courses: Web Development Bootcamp (Part Time), Web Development Bootcamp (Full Time)
Top Employers
Digitalcrafts, The Home Depot Incorporated, Insiten
What Students Say
The Good:
"Aside from learning a ton of different programming languages within 16 weeks, the network that is built within the same 4 months makes it well worth it. From career services to the best instructor I have ever had, the DigitalCrafts experience is unmatched."
- Kurtis, 4/22/2021
The Bad:
"There were some subjects in the curriculum we didn't seem to spend enough time on due to the fast pace, so in order to really learn the material that's covered you have to be prepared to dedicate a lot of time outside of class to understand it."
- Calvin, 7/1/2021
Location: Online, NYC, San Francisco
Free - $20,000
Courses: Software Engineer Track: In-Person, Software Engineer Track: Online, App Academy Open
Top Employers
Google Inc., Wayfair, Amazon
What Students Say
The Good:
"They are capable of teaching new languages and technologies quickly so you can apply them immediately. We build both independently and alongside group members using Agile workflow with incredibly quick turnaround times."
- Alexandra, 8/10/2021
The Bad:
"I think it is a great place to quickly learn essential SWE skills, but a lot of the CS fundamentals, algorithms, data structures, etc. are not a big part of the course so we will have to study that on our own time for job search."
- Anonymous, 7/7/2021
Location: Online, Austin, Chicago, Houston, NYC, Seattle
Free - $18,900
Courses: Online Software Engineering, Software Engineering
Top Employers
Freelance, Infosys, Amazon
What Students Say
The Good:
"After I graduated, I also received an amazing amount of support. My Career Coach challenged me and asked difficult questions to help me identify my negative patterns, and walked me through step-by-step instructions on how to improve my connections on Linked In and get my applications noticed."
- Kelsey, 1/31/2021
The Bad:
"After formally graduating, I found that there is actually more content for studying.... My critique would've been that devops/live environment setup, algorithms, and performance were completely neglected, but the post-work section makes a good save on that front."
- Anonymous, 9/15/2020
Location: Online, Adelaide, Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Brisbane
$2,800 - $15,950
Courses: Software Engineering Immersive, Front-End Web Development, Software Engineering Immersive - Flex
Top Employers
Google Inc., Amazon, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
What Students Say
The Good:
"The instructors, career and mental support, and the classmates all made this experience worth the time and money. I was able to build the necessary skills, a strong professional network, and confidence for entering a new industry."
- Colin, 6/2/2021
The Bad:
"I wish, for example, that we would have touched on Python, and perhaps Java. I also wish that we had an extra unit on Technical Interview Prep - concentrating on popular interview questions and practicing whiteboarding in front of other people (which can be very nerve-wracking)."
- Adam, 5/7/2021
Location: Online, Portland, Salt Lake City
$5,300 - $14,000
Courses: Full-Time Software Developer Boot Camp, Full-Time Python Developer Boot Camp, Full-Time C# and .NET Framework Boot Camp, Part-Time Software Developer Boot Camp, Part-Time C# and .NET Framework Boot Camp
Top Employers
Microsoft Corporation, The Tech Academy, American Power and Gas
Location: Online, Seattle
$99 - $12,000
Courses: Code 101: Explore Software Development, Code 102: Intro to Software Development - Daytime, Code 401: Advanced Software Development in Full-Stack JavaScript - Daytime, Code 401: Advanced Software Development in Full-Stack JavaScript - Nights & Weekends
Top Employers
Amazon, Microsoft Corporation, Facebook
Location: Asheville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbus, Dallas
$1,850 - $13,500
Courses: Part-Time Code Immersion Program
Top Employers
Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Lowe's Companies, Inc
Location: Online, Chicago
$13,900
Courses: Actualize Coding Bootcamp: Part-Time, Actualize Coding Bootcamp: Online Live, Actualize Coding Bootcamp: Full-Time
Top Employers
Ahead, Braintree, Oracle
Location: Online
Free
Courses: Full Time Full Stack Web Development, Full Time Backend Development
Top Employers
Amazon, Lambda School, Nexient
Location: Online, Boston, Chicago, London, Miami, NYC
$2,450 - $15,000
Courses: Web Development Diploma Program, Web Development Certificate Course
Top Employers
Shopify, Freelance, Brainstation
Location: Online, Boise, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Jose
Free - $16,495
Courses: Software Development Onsite Full-Time Bootcamp, Software Development Online Part-Time Accelerated Bootcamp, Software Development Online Part-Time Flex Bootcamp, Software Development Online Full-Time Bootcamp
Top Employers
Microsoft Corporation, Amazon, Accenture
Location: Online, Portland, Seattle
$100 - $7,800
Courses: Intro to Programming (part-time evening), C# and React, Ruby and React, C# and React (Part-Time)
Top Employers
Nike, Inc., Eyecue Lab, Acquia
Location: Online, Milwaukee
$15,500
Courses: Full Stack Software Development, Web Development
Top Employers
Northwestern Mutual, Nvisia, devCodeCamp
Location: Online
$4,900 - $16,000
Courses: Engineering Immersion, Engineering Flex Program
Top Employers
Amazon, Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton Inc
Location: Online
$349 - $11,900
Courses: Software Engineering Career Track, Software Engineering Career Track Prep Course
Top Employers
Amazon, Facebook, Bank of America
Why Trust Our Rankings?
350+ Hours Spent Researching Job Outcomes
Ratings Based on 29k Student Reviews
Annual Rankings Since 2014
We are the only publisher to rank bootcamps based on actual job outcomes, using in-field employment rate within 1 year of graduation.
Employment data provided by Burning Glass Technologies.
Bootcamps with Highest Percentage Employed by the Big Five
Switchup parsed LinkedIn data from Burning Glass to find bootcamps with the most alumni hired by the Big Five tech companies. Seattle-based Code Fellows was first, followed by Hackbright Academy in San Francisco.
Bootcamps Students Love
SwitchUp gathered the top rated coding bootcamps based on reviews from verified students and graduates. These bootcamps have at least 100 reviews and feature an average star rating of 4.9.
"Codeworks has a great selection process, including the pre-course, where you can prove to yourself that you’re willing to put in the time and effort: if you put the 20 in they take you to 100!"
- Gabor, 6/21/2021
"Experienced professionals that love what they do. Always there to answer questions, guide, or support you. I took the part-time program, and I'm not gonna lie, it's INTENSE! But the effort pays off."
- Nicolás, 5/19/2021
"Well structured curricula, flexible lesson times and career services, were the distinguishing factor in my choice of Clarusway. I landed a job in 15 days after graduation."
- Murat, 9/25/2021
"It’s definitely a fast-paced learning experience and was hard at times, but the teachers were all incredibly patient and everyone in my class pushed each other to challenge ourselves."- Lena, 8/25/2021
"The content of all the courses are laid out intuitively and comprehensibly; perfect for all types of learner wether it be visual, auditory or kinesthetic. The strong female presence has made SheCodes all the more encouraging and empowering." - Geneviève, 8/28/2021
"The possibility to alternate between online and in-class courses is a huge advantage. It was very helpful to maintain a balance with my full-time job."
- Ali, 7/1/2021
"The staff at LearningFuze was what made me come back to try out their free prep class, and then ultimately enroll in the full-time immersion program. I never worried whether I would have access to an instructor for help."
- Tesia, 3/7/2021
"The people around you during the bootcamp are the ones who make the difference between other bootcamps or courses. They know how to transmit the values to create an excellent study and work environment, and thanks to this, a fantastic team is formed among students, teachers and managers."
- Laura, 7/6/2021
"My experience with Altcademy was amazing. I did a lot of research before signing up and consulted friends who are software engineers. We all came to the conclusion that Altcademy's fullstack program is the best amongst its peers." - Susana, 3/1/2021
Overview of Coding Bootcamps
What Is a Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is an intensive program that teaches people technical computer skills in a short amount of time, including coding in a variety of languages, web design, and cybersecurity. A bootcamp can be a more affordable alternative to a computer science degree, and it can help build practical and professional knowledge through real-world experience so students can either pivot careers or improve their marketability in their current field.
According to the nonprofit research organization RTI International, about 70% of bootcamp offerings are full time. The average program length is three to six months, with full-time programs taking less time because students take more classes each week. More than 60% of bootcamp enrollees study web development, with data science next in line at 10%. Typical web design programs might have immersive courses in full-stack development of webpages and web applications using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or another language, and data science instructors might discuss database design, Python language, machine learning, and iOS app development.
A coding bootcamp is an intensive program that teaches people technical computer skills in a short amount of time, including coding in a variety of languages, web design, and cybersecurity.
Coding and digital technology may seem like natural subjects for online course delivery, but only 15% of bootcamps offered fully online programs in 2019. It's possible that the COVID-19 pandemic will shift that balance — early data showed increased interest in online programs during 2020. Many online coding bootcamps are designed for asynchronous learning, so students can sign in at their convenience to complete coursework.
But Are Coding Bootcamps Suitable for Beginners?
RTI International found that 59% of bootcamps have some admissions criteria, but these mainly include general aptitude tests rather than specific technical skills. Online and part-time programs tend to have fewer coding skill requirements for admission.
However, prospective applicants may want to get a taste of what coding is like before committing. A number of services provide free introductory coding courses in which students can learn some of the basic terminology and functions of computer code. Coding carries a stigma of being extremely difficult, but most people can learn to code if they make the effort and take the time.
Choosing and Applying to a Bootcamp
How Do You Choose a Coding Bootcamp?
Prospective students need to consider several factors when researching their coding bootcamp options. We've listed a few of these factors below, but it's up to each individual to decide how heavily to weigh them when making a decision.
Where do I want to work, and what do I want to do?
How do I want to study?
Will the bootcamp help me once I graduate?
In addition to the above, we've put together a guide to choosing a bootcamp that provides more information, and you may also find it helpful to use our Get Matched tool. This tool was designed to give you a place to begin. Based on the information you provide, we match you with a highly-rated bootcamp, and that bootcamp will reach out to you to answer any questions you have and see if they can meet your needs.
I've Chosen a Bootcamp and Am Ready to Apply - What's Next?
Once you've decided where you want to attend, it's time to apply. Most applications begin by filling out an online form that's unique to each bootcamp. More selective bootcamps also require at least one interview, a coding assessment or demonstration, and preparatory coursework.
The interview usually covers a candidate's prior experience, future career goals, and enthusiasm for learning technical skills. Interviewers also try to determine how well an applicant will fit into the bootcamp's culture.
Admissions counselors genuinely want every bootcamp graduate to succeed, so they only accept those candidates who appear to have the desire and stamina to complete their course of study. You may be interested in our 6 Tips for Getting into a Top Coding Bootcamp for more valuable ideas.
How Much Do Coding Bootcamps Cost?
In general, coding bootcamps cost about 10% of what students would pay for a traditional four-year degree. Most bootcamps are full time, which means that students won't be able to work a full-time job while studying, so they may need to budget carefully.
In general, coding bootcamps cost about 10% of what students would pay for a traditional four-year degree.
In addition, bootcamp students don't qualify for federal or state financial aid, but they can pursue limited scholarships through their institution. Some bootcamps also offer income share agreements, which is a form of loan directly from the school whereby enrollees pay an initial deposit and then agree to a fixed monthly payment plan once they secure work. The virtue of this arrangement is that alumni don't pay interest on the deferred tuition payments.
Are Coding Bootcamps Worth It?
Yes, investing in a coding bootcamp is usually worth the cost.
SwitchUp's recent research found that a similar overall percentage of bootcamp alumni found jobs with the Big Five tech companies — Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft — as graduates of technical degree programs at traditional colleges.
Crucially, employers beyond the Big Five also hire bootcamp graduates. Not every bootcamp reports post-graduation employment data to CIRR, but those that do generally demonstrate positive findings. An Indeed report from 2017 also showed good numbers for bootcamp alumni. Perhaps the best news from this survey was that nearly 100% of hiring managers who had hired a bootcamp graduate said they would continue to do so.
However, there are potential downsides to attending a coding bootcamp.
For one, bootcamps lack the broad scope provided by a four-year degree where students take general education courses to encourage a well-rounded development, and where they can often add a second major or a minor to their main course of study. The intense focus of bootcamps leaves little to no time to explore other avenues that may teach or reinforce important soft skills such as critical thinking and effective writing.
Another potential drawback is employment outlook:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes a very positive 11% job growth projection through 2029 for the broad category of computer and information technology professionals, but not all of these occupations are growing. In fact, computer programmers are facing a job loss of 9% in coming years largely due to outsourcing. Prospective bootcamp students should research hiring trends in the job market to make sure their desired skill set matches what employers are seeking.
